Meet America’s Simple Man, Doc Dalton: Author, Poet and Radio Host

Doc Dalton is a poet, radio show host, ordained minister, and a friend to many people. He writes about his life experiences and to connect with others about their own good times and hard times. Learn more about him by visiting DocDalton.com.

There are many things we want to talk to you about such as, why you are called, America’s Simple Man, and how you feel poetry saved your life. Also, your new book is being released, and there is a lot to talk about regarding Depression, Suicide and Dark Times. Let's start with describing yourself to our readers.

I have said many times over that if it would be possible, I could be the eccentric love child of Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson if they could have a child. I just think different and act different. The older I get, I find myself disliking phonies more and more. I just want to surround myself with good caring positive people who don't bring drama and craziness in to my world. I just need to be me 100% and for those who don’t like it, who cares, they weren't my friends in the first place.

America's Simple Man is a title that you believe in and seem to be extremely comfortable with.

It's been a long road for me, and it hasn't been the best road at times. Some is my own fault and some isn't. At this stage of my life, what I need more than anything is Common Sense and Simplicity, and that is in every aspect of my life including business and faith. I keep it as simple as possible and do my best not to get caught up in the world of Hype, Drama and Bull S_ _ _, and I teach that as well.

To keep this in order, how about if we talk about depression first and then your poetry?

It's well-known and I don’t hide the fact that I suffer from depression and have been hospitalized a few times, not only being depressed but suicidal as well. It's a terrible thing to have, and at times it becomes dark and scary and feels as if someone pulled the floor out from under you. I have been diagnosed with a disease called Sarcodosis and recently learned that it can add greatly to a person's depression. If you remember comedian Bernie Mac, he died from it. As far as depression goes, people should understand that there is help and they should take that help and not put it off. Waiting one extra day could be one day to late. Get your self-help today.

You been called the Eccentric Poet, and you refer often to your poems as God Poems. How did you start writing, and how do you feel it saved your life?

I was hospitalized for depression, and a doctor came to me and said, I do not want you writing a journal, and he had his reasons. He told me to try my hand at poetry and personally, I thought he was crazier than I was. But I was locked in and couldn't leave, so I said to myself, why not? To my surprise, words just started coming out one after the other, and everything I wrote was somehow connected to God.

Till this day it hasn't stopped, and I write like I talk which is cool for me, but it covers everything from God sending Angels who become your friend to Hey Bartender, a shot of Cuervo and some Jesus to go. I believe poetry saved my life because I express things in my poetry in ways I don't think I could otherwise. It's not about who reads it--it's about me keeping my mind calm and at peace while I am writing it. I have been lucky to be published a few times but even if I wasn't, I would continue to write each and every day. It's my personal therapy.

You have a new book being released at the end of this year with several more to follow in 2018 and 2019. Can you tell us a little about that?

Old Dogs of the Whiskey Pie Trails will be released later this year, and it is a combination of poetry, "my poetry" and short stories that are related to each of those poems. Each poem really does have its own story as why it was written and who might be involved within that story. The book itself is spiritual in nature and so will be every book after that. At this point I am looking to do a total of eight books through 2019 as a series which will be called "Watering the Spirit." All will be published with Joseph Martin Publishing.

Can you tell us something that folks might be surprised at or maybe even close friends and family don't know about you?

What a lot of people do not know is that I am an Ordained Minister and did so as a personal commitment to God. Kind of a thing just between he and I. There were No other reasons involved. I am a giant believer in Prayer and feel Prayer is the most un-selfish act of kindness that someone can do because you are asking God to help someone with No strings attached. I am Ordained with two different organizations and since being so, I have been asked to perform a number of weddings which I have, but I am more than likely the only Pastor that doesn't charge to do this service. I ask the bride and groom to make a donation to a local charity as an additional way to make their special day even more special. I just can't charge for what I call a God Thing. Because of this, some folks even started calling me America's Simple Pastor. It seems to me to fit nicely with the other title, so I consider it a win/win.

Are there any other projects coming up for you in the near future?

I have an Income Team that I will be promoting shortly that is all about common sense and simplicity. It’s showing folks how it does not need to be expensive, difficult, and time consuming. It shows them how great success can be created by following just 3 Simple Steps and teaching those 3 Simple Steps that should take no longer than 1 minute to learn or teach. Also, I have a video series coming up in the end of 2016 early 2017 called, Simply Dalton. It's just me talking about the important things in life and how keeping it simple is what is really important. The Team will be starting this month and the series is being developed as of this writing.

Can you tell our readers where they can learn more about you and maybe tell us the title of your most recent poem?

I am writing two poems at the moment with one being called "Waitin on an Angel to Take Me Home" and the other is called "Feeling Like a Million Bucks While Sitting in the Five and Dime." As far as learning more about me, folks can go to, DocDalton.com and everything is there from information on up-coming books, radio shows I have hosted in the past, gallery and even my Prayer Church called "Open Air Church of Prayer" where there is never a donation or collection because it's all about Prayer. They should stop by and leave a prayer--it's only a few simple lines.

Thanks, Doc!

Meet Lester Sumrall, Filmmaker and Minister

Lester Sumrall is a third generation minister and visionary. For almost 20 years, he has shared a message of destiny, purpose, and hope in 38 countries of the world. In the early 1990s, Lester gave up a college basketball scholarship, a journey which took him to Scandinavia where he attended Word of Life Theological School in Uppsala, Sweden. Upon graduation, Lester travelled alongside his grandfather, Dr. Lester Sumrall, doing ministry and relief work around the world. In 1997, he founded Lester Sumrall International, and has since continued in the legacy passed to him to serve humanity through relief work and hope-filled media projects. Lester Sumrall is currently based near Chicago where he lives with his wife and children.

Lester is currently working to finish Fearless Faith, a film about his grandfather. Having traveled all over the world with his grandfather and again after his grandfather's death, Lester has gathered all the necessary footage to create a film which gives a comprehensive perspective on his grandfather's work and the many people his grandfather inspired. In order to complete the film, Lester needs to raise funds to pay for professional editing and marketing and has set up a campaign on Indiegogo with a $25,000 goal (which amounts to one-fourth of the funding needed for this last phase of film production.

As February 2013 marks the 100th birthday of the late Dr. Sumrall, the theme of the fundraising campaign for Fearless Faith is Give 100,: 100 minutes of prayer and/or 100 pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, dollars or more. Learn more on the Facebook page for Fearless Faith.

1. For those readers who might not recognize the name, Dr. Lester Sumrall, could you tell us briefly who your grandfather was?

My grandfather was a family man; being his namesake, we shared a very close relationship. He was a sincere man of faith. As a young man he was supernaturally healed of tuberculosis by faith in Jesus. This divine experience led to him becoming a true believer. He traveled the world on the verge of WWII. He also dabbled in journalism as he reported on his travels, basically an antique blog. Later in life he was a local pastor to some, and he pioneered in media by founding a broadcasting network that at one time was the 10th largest shortwave radio network in the world, eight full power television stations, and two local fm stations. Near the end of his life, he founded a global feeding network that shared relief and hope with hundreds of thousands of people. All in all I was really inspired by his faith-filled mission and obedience to his higher calling.

2. How many years have you spent and how many countries have you visited shooting footage of your grandfather and people around the world who have been influenced by his work?

I worked with my grandfather 17 years ago on the idea for this project, but almost three years ago in 2010 I started the Fearless Faith Project. Since then I've visited Asia multiple times to retrace his steps in the Philippines and Hong Kong. I also retraced his steps in Israel. Footage from interviews in China, Russia, and Sweden will also be included in the project.

3. On the 100th anniversary of your late grandfather's birth, why do you feel it's especially important now to share his legacy with others through the medium of film?

My grandfather's life and legacy of faith is important to me for a variety of reasons. Why share his story? Because I believe that others will find it inspiring on their life journey. My desire is to inspire many to find and fulfill their God-given purpose.

4. How much time and funding do you anticipate it will take to complete the editing of Fearless Faith--and then to market the film?

We anticipate it will take about six months and $100,000 to finish editing and start the distribution of this film. We have requests to bring it to Sweden, Russia, China, Brazil, Canada, and all over America.

5. It seems like crowdsourcing is a good fit for your project, given your grandfather's connections with so many people. In addition to visiting your Indiegogo site, how do you hope that people will help you in finishing this film and in continuing your grandfather's work in the world?

Yes, crowdfunding is a great fit for this project. If everyone does something, it helps. Crowdfunding is a great alternative for us because my grandfather had ministered in 119 countries and had authored many books over the years, so he became well-known in certain circles. We are hoping to finish this project by everyone who appreciated his life and ministry to give 100 whatever (pennies, dollars, etc) to celebrate his 100th and to share the campaign with 100 friends. Through this project I believe that we can share a life story that will inspire people all around the world.

Thanks, Lester!